Despite Sean “Diddy” Combs being acquitted of his most serious federal charges, it seems his legal team is not satisfied with his guilty verdict on two counts of prostitution. Now, he’s asking a judge to completely throw out his conviction, and he’s using one law to do it.
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Jurors convicted Combs of transportation to engage in prostitution citing the Mann Act back in July. A new 62-page motion filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York cites that exact same law as grounds for him to either get a whole new trial or an overturned conviction, ABC News reported.
What Is the Mann Act?
The Mann Act, previously called the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, essentially made it illegal to transport people across state lines for prostitution or any other “immoral” purpose, PBS reported. Originally, the law was passed amid growing concerns of “white slavery,” especially as white women began gaining more autonomy during the 20th century.
Interestingly, the law became famous when prosecutors went after one Black boxer named Jack Johnson in 1912. Born in Texas, Johnson became one of the best boxers in the country, often beating white boxers, including Jim Jeffries — dubbed the “Great White Hope” — according to National Museum of African American History and Culture.
After becoming the heavyweight champion, Johnson was arrested and charged with violating the Mann Act based on accusations that he kidnapped a white woman named Lucille Cameron. In truth, Cameron and Johnson were in a consensual relationship and would later marry. Despite this, an all-white jury found the boxer guilty, permanently derailing his career.
Diddy’s New Defense
Combs’ is facing a maximum 20 years behind bars after being found guilty for each of his prostitution counts, we previously reported. According to his legal team, the mogul is the only person ever convicted under the law who didn’t make money off prostitution or have sex with an alleged prostitute.
During his two month-long trial, defense attorneys argued it was Combs’ ex-girlfriends and victims, Jane Doe and singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who organized, arranged and engaged in sex with the prostitutes during the infamous “freak-offs.” The women also testified Combs would watch as they “performed” sexual acts with the prostitutes to please him.
“There has literally never been a case like this one,” Combs’ lawyers said referring to the Mann Act. Additionally, his lawyers continue to claim Combs is simply a “swinger”– someone who invite others into their sexual relationships. This, as told by Combs’ team, is not a crime.
He also claims the “freak-offs” are protected by the First Amendment, according to TMZ. As it stands now, Combs’ is set to be sentenced in October.
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